Purpose
Washington University in St. Louis holds the safety and well-being of its students as essential to its mission. The University recognizes that, in alcohol or other drug related emergencies, the potential for University disciplinary action could act as a barrier to students who want to seek medical assistance for themselves or others.
The Medical Amnesty and Active Bystander Policy is designed to encourage students to seek medical care in an alcohol or other drug-related emergency by reducing the potential barrier of University disciplinary action in certain circumstances.
Policy
Subject to the other provisions, and unless the University determines there are special circumstances, when a student seeks aid for an individual experiencing an alcohol or other drug-related emergency by contacting emergency services, such as the Emergency Support Team (EST), the student and the individual(s) reporting the emergency will not be subject to disciplinary action in the form of University allegations of Student Conduct Code violations for the presence, possession or use of alcohol or other drugs.
The protocol covers all WashU students and student groups involved in reporting an alcohol or other drug-related emergency. This includes the student and the individual(s) reporting the emergency.
Individual student procedures
If a WashU Police Department officer, Residential Life staff member, or other University official responds to an alcohol or other drug-related emergency, they will first seek medical care for the student before documenting any other information related to the incident. Throughout the entire incident, the student’s prompt assessment, treatment and transport to an appropriate medical facility will remain the priority.
An individual student or student group that repeatedly contacts or is treated by emergency services, including EST, for alcohol or other drug-related emergencies may prompt further action from the University, and Medical Amnesty may not be extended.
University officials are the determining party for cases of Medical Amnesty. EST does not act as the determining party for if/when/how Medical Amnesty is applied to students and/or student groups.
Medical Amnesty applies both on and off campus. Students should note that the University’s Medical Amnesty & Active Bystander Policy does not govern the response of local law enforcement agencies, including their response to emergency incidents or pursuit of criminal charges.
Medical Amnesty relates only to medical emergencies involving alcohol or other drugs. It does not cover additional University policy, rule or regulation violations.
If additional University policies, rules or regulations are violated while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, even though a student or student group may receive Medical Amnesty regarding their use of alcohol or other drugs if they enacted appropriate safety measures (e.g., calling EST), they would still be held accountable for additional violations and referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Individual student requirements
After the incident, the student will be required to attend a wellness follow-up meeting with a University official and may be subject to mandatory wellness measures to further support that student. These wellness measures are not punitive but intended to be educational in order to help the student.
If the student does not comply with completing the wellness follow-up meeting with a University official, the incident will no longer qualify for Medical Amnesty. Therefore, the incident will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for disciplinary action.
Student group/chapter procedures
If a student group is involved and an individual calls for medical attention on behalf of a distressed student, that student group will be exempt from University disciplinary action, barring repeat offenses or additional violations of University policies, rules or regulations. Student groups are required to complete the requirements outlined below, to qualify for Medical Amnesty.
Student groups may also be granted Medical Amnesty when they seek assistance for a student attending their event and/or the event is in their chapter facility who is in need of treatment for an alcohol or other drug related medical emergency.
Below is the procedure for student groups to request Medical Amnesty:
- An incident must be reported to Campus Life by an executive officer of the reporting student group by completing the Student Conduct Incident Report and indicating that the student group is requesting Medical Amnesty.
- The incident must be reported within three (3) calendar days of an executive officer becoming aware of the situation.
- Within five (5) business days of the report, executive officers must provide Campus Life with all relevant details surrounding the incident including the names of all students involved, date, time, location, and detailed timeline of events.
If any additional information that was not disclosed by executive officers is discovered by University officials, the student group may become ineligible for Medical Amnesty. If the information relates to an incident for which amnesty was previously granted, the previously granted amnesty may be revoked. If any information given is found to be knowingly false, fabricated, or material details are withheld and/or deleted, amnesty will be revoked. Subsequently, the incident will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Although an investigation may occur and educational interventions may be assigned, any student group granted Medical Amnesty will not have a disciplinary record of that incident. However, if your student group is found responsible for University policy, rule or regulation violations in the future, the University may consider prior incidents in which Medical Amnesty was granted when determining Sanctions.
If a student group is not granted amnesty, or if amnesty is revoked, information gathered throughout the Medical Amnesty process may be used in future disciplinary action.
Student group/chapter requirements
In order for the incident to qualify for amnesty, the student group must comply with University officials including but not limited to the below:
- Ensure that all members fully cooperate by attending any meetings, replying to correspondence from University officials and participation in any follow-up educational requirements. This includes any related individual processes through Campus Life, the Student Health Center- Danforth Campus, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, or chapter advisors or inter/national headquarters, if applicable.
If the student group does not comply with completing these or other requirements, the incident will no longer qualify for Medical Amnesty. Therefore, the incident will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for disciplinary action.
Revised date: January 22, 2025
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Students